| April 01, 2008 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Health conditions in remote areas
Revisiting Quaid’s vision
Using cards wisely
Sindh Wildlife Department
Hurting others’ feelings
Preservation of historic buildings
Plight of our mountains
LUMS admission tests
Correction
Retirement of PIA flight engineers
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
THIS is apropos of the release of the deposed judges ordered by the newly-elected prime minister. This step is in the right direction and will help to reinstate the deposed judges to their rightful place and make the judiciary independent. Saying this, I would like to draw the attention of the legislature, through these columns, to the ill-conceived ‘National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a piece of law that flies in the face of the notion of independent judiciary.The NRO is an anomaly because, on the one hand, we are talking about independent judiciary and, on the other hand, the NRO keeps interfering with due process of law.
I agree that the politicians for the benefit of whom the NRO was passed have never been convicted in Pakistan, but how come ‘not being convicted’ can be taken as ‘not guilty’, especially when cases were still under adjudication at the time they were taken back.
It would have been much better for the rule of law to take its own course, and let the courts decide on the merit of the case itself rather than being forced to do so under the NRO.
In case any politician is not found guilty, he/she can by all means use his/her legal rights to bring those to justice and claim damages who pressed false and politicised charges against him/ her in the first place.
Everyone knows that the NRO was passed to smoothen out the transition of the country from a military regime to a democratic one, but does it mean that politics should be mixed up with justice?
If these cases were brought up initially on a political basis, what is the sense of throwing them out on the basis of politics?
The wealth allegedly squandered by politicians and money spent on pursuing the cases against politicians belongs to the people of Pakistan, and to decide the question whether it has been squandered or not should be decided by court of law and not through any ordinance.
It is a dangerous tradition against which we must stand guard if we truly believe in the supremacy and independence of the judiciary in its exclusive domain of adjudication.
In the end I would also like to draw the attention of the legislature to another dangerous tradition in the NRO by virtue of which no sitting member of parliament or provincial assembly can be arrested without taking into consideration the recommendations of Special Committee on Ethics in parliament or provincial assembly.
So, may I ask what will happen if supposedly tomorrow a drunken member of parliament or provincial assembly is caught red-handed during a criminal act? Will he be arrested immediately or the matter will be referred to the above-mentioned Special Committee on Ethics? What if the criminal act involved is a murder or rape?
KHALID BHATTI
Bahrain
WITH reference to Gulsher Panhwar’s letter, ‘Health conditions in remote areas’ (March 25), I strongly agree with the writer that the ‘Kacho’ and Johi have been completely neglected in terms of health and education facilities by the higher authorities.
People are suffering from uncountable health-related issues. Above all, there is unavailability of proper facilities because of scant attention being paid to such important departments by the elected representatives.
People of Kacho and Johi have not only remained neglected by not having these facilities but are also faced with a host of socio-economic, social, educational, environmental, etc, problems. The Johi College needs to be upgraded up to the degree college. Also, it is important to note that the college, having more than 200 girls and boys, has no science teachers.
The previous government had paid no heed to this issue as well. It had placed people of their own choice in key slots who misused their power to benefit themselves. There is no doubt that the poor have become poorer while the rich have become richer due to the unrealistic policies of the previous hand-picked politicians.
It is time the elected representatives came up with comprehensive polices so that the victims of the area could be provided relief in this regard. The following steps should be taken to improve the situation:
— All political stakeholders within the party and the members of civil society should be empowered to play their constructive role.
— Corrupt people within the departments should be weeded out, especially in the health and education departments.
— Resources should be used in getting human resource enhanced by promoting libraries, and such institutes be equipped with all sorts of resources so that youngsters could be prepared to play their constructive role.
— All the key employees doing their job in the health and education departments should be made accountable.
As there are a lot of things to be done, the government should first start paying attention to socio-economic development, poverty eradication and uplift ofthe people.
AMJAD ALI SURHIO
Johi
REFERRING to the Quaid’s inaugural address of Aug 11, 1947 to the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Ahmad Faruqui, in his article, “Jinnah’s republic” (March 24), says that the new parliament has a rare opportunity to rebuild Jinnah’s republic to put Pakistan back on the road to secular democracy.
The address should have served as a trailblazer to the lawmakers, who were engaged in the formulation of Pakistan’s first constitution.
Instead, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Objectives Resolution, after the Quaid’s death, which virtually made religion business of the state. Another opportunity was missed when the 1973 Constitution was being passed.
The new parliament has emerged after the nation passed through the vicissitudes of oligarchy and demagogy. With zero tolerance and religious extremism and terrorism having almost destroyed the very fabric of our society, this is perhaps not the proper time to open a new debate.
The new parliament is already faced with stupendous issues, as pointed out in your editorial of March 23.
With economy and terrorism overshadowing all the issues, followed by power crisis, oil and food prices and matters pertaining to the judiciary, the parliament has enough workload to cope with. If it can resolve these issues during the next five years, it would have done its job.
Jinnah’s republic is definitely a utopian ideal and there is a need to revisit the Quaid’s vision in order to achieve it. Unfortunately, it will have to be put on the back burner till such time that the democratic institutions are fully developed.
FAQIR AHMAD PARACHA
Peshawar
GEORGE Bush’s foreign policy in every respect is a total disaster for the United States of America. His policy demonstrates how ineffective his eight years of presidency has been. The new government in Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that they do not trust the Bush administration, which in the past bet everything on a very unpopular President Pervez Musharraf’s authoritarian rule.
It seems very unlikely that the administration can now overcome Pakistanis’ mistrust. Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister and key player, bluntly told American visitors that there will be no more ‘one-man show’ in Pakistan. The new government is working desperately to marginalise President Musharraf and undo his abuses.
Of course, there are grave dangers ahead and the Bush administration will have to work extremely hard to help the new government. Nawaz Sharif is demanding President Musharraf’s exit, and many observers fear that if such a move is pushed, the former general might try another coup. President George Bush must show his commitment to democracy by increasing non-military aid that would strengthen the country’s battered institutions.
The New York Times editorial does indeed reflect a best hope toward Pakistan. The editorial rightly wrote that Pakistan and its people deserve a much brighter future, provided the new administration plays their card wisely. Let us all hope and pray.
PROF SYED WARIS SHERE
Canada
CONGRATULATIONS to the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) on taking daring legal action against illegal exploration activity being carried out by the Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDC) in the ecologically sensitive areas of Sindh.
Commenting on the report published on March 25, I must say that this bold action by the SWD through stopping the illegal exploration activity in wildlife-protected areas should be warmly appreciated. The exploration without getting permission from the authorities concerned is tantamount to ignoring the rules and regulations as provided in the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 and the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance.
There is no doubt that oil reserves should be explored in view of the increasing demand of petroleum products and it is, therefore, the OGDC that is continuously working to fulfil such demands.
However, such activity at the cost of environment does not make any sense. We have already deteriorated our marine environment because of the ignorance of environmental laws. Industrial waste water without any treatment has adversely affected our coastal areas and still no result-oriented measures to avoid entering such type of toxic industrial waste water have been taken. Deteriorating air quality through various sources of emissions, smoke-emitting from burning garbage and large-scale felling of trees without considering the environmental effects also wait for such bold steps by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
We often observe that even the vehicle that belongs to the public sector departments emits exhaust emission higher than the limits allowed in the National Environmental Quality Standards. We often hear or read in newspapers about fatalities or severe health problems caused as a result of drinking unsafe and highly contaminated water in sheer ignorance of environmental laws.
Declining environmental conditions eventually result in lowering down of overall productivity without us taking any notice of it, thus putting enormous pressure on the country’s economic condition.
In my opinion, SEPA, along with other relevant departments and private entities, should start an awareness campaign for the general public and for industrialists as well and make them aware of the responsibilities that lie on their shoulders and how the healthy environmental conditions may lead to the prosperity of the nation and the country.
Hope for the best environmental future of the country.
NASAR U. USMANI
Karachi
IT was very disheartening to hear newly-elected MQM member Khushbakht Shujaat use unfriendly remarks for the PPP in a talk show on a private channel. According to her, one should stop talking about bodies and move forward. She went to the extent of claiming that the MQM has sacrificed lives.
I would like to tell her that it’s the death of a former twice-elected PM of Pakistan and the leader of the number one political party that is being discussed. And, secondly, no comparison should be made between the sacrifice of Ms Bhutto and those of the workers of other parties who were killed or assassinated.
If Ms Shujaat talks of a new beginning for the country, she should not hurt the feelings of the majority of the people of Pakistan.
FILZA G. SIDIQI
Ireland
THE statement, ‘Historic Larkana building to be preserved’ (March 25), about conserving a pre-British period ‘Tajjar building’, constructed in 1833, and establishing a museum in it is good news for the people of Larkana, an important city of the country which has the honour and distinction of producing world-class statesmen: Zulifkar Ali Bhutto, who unfortunately was eliminated through a contrived murder case, and his distinguished daughter, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in mysterious circumstances to the bad luck of this hapless nation.
Larkana, being one of the most important towns with a site of one of the world’s ancient civilisations, has in its backyard numerous other monuments which also deserve preservation.
Here I will mention two such buildings that I had personally visited and admired. These are Collector’s Office and District and Sessions Judge’s residence which originally was D.J. Court: both architecturally gorgeous and imposing structures.
These beautiful edifices were built in 1903 by the British government to house two most important officers: Collector and the District Judge: focal representatives of the crown, heading administration and judiciary of the district.
During 2004 when I visited the site I could not but appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the monumental structures. But at the same time I was appalled the way these most significant buildings, which can be compared with any structure of historical significance in the country, were given to total neglect.
I request the director-general of projects and special initiatives of S &GD and the DCO, Larkana, who have initiated the lofty cause of preserving our national heritage, to enlist the above two important monuments in their catalogue as well, so that the people of Larkana may not be dispossessed of these beautiful buildings, if the lack of apathy continues at present level.
ALTAMASH M. KURESHI
Karachi
ON a recent pleasant but extremely hot visit to Abbottabad, I was disgusted by the plight of our mountains. Every mountain, at some point in the day and night, was on fire.
The locals told me that they burn the grass to make it easier for them to walk in the dark and also to avoid being bitten by snakes and the like.
On complaining to the Forest Department, the gentleman said that the government cannot stop people from burning a ‘natural resource’ on a private mountain.
How can a natural resource be owned by the public? I would like to bring this practice to the attention of our people. And then we wonder why it is getting hotter and hotter in the mountainous regions.
If every mountain is on fire, imagine the pollution and heat that it is emitting. It is time we stopped being selfish and thought only in the interest of the country.
I request the relevant authorities to have this insane practice stopped as soon as possible before we lose whatever we have.
HANAH I. MIRZA
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter, ‘Admission test: woes of applicants’ (March 25). I am not writing on behalf of the admission office of LUMS but as someone who has personally gone through the admission process and as a student of the institution I would like to dispel the misconceptions that my friend has.
First, thousands of students apply to LUMS every year and are selected on their academic record and the admission test. Keeping in view the increasing competition for the place every subsequent year and the limited places available, it is wrong to blame LUMS for being victim of its own fame, and disappointing students who supposedly deserve to study abroad.
Second, an admission test gauges your aptitude and does not have a prescribed syllabus. And the view that a test should strictly follow the sample paper and should have questions of high school standard is naïve at best. As for the math problems are concerned, there isn’t a single method to solve a math problem and it’s the job of the solver to find the quickest way. Saying that they required long workings cannot be justified.
Quoting ‘The LCAT had not been proof-read”, well for this I wonder how he knew that, it’s quite normal to have more than one correct answer for any type of question. It’s the skill of the person attempting to pick the best one.
In the end I would say that the applicant has crossed the thin line between confidence and arrogance by saying: “How are we to know the right answers will tally with LUMS’s distorted opinion of what is right?”
MUHAMMAD USMAN MIRZA
Lahore
In his op-ed article (March 25), Akhtar Payami mentions ‘Prof Guha and Prof Thakur Das’. Actually it was one person named ‘Guha-Thakurta.” That was the surname. He was my teacher in the English Department.
Another mentionable name among the victims was Dr G. C. Deb, head of the Philosophy Department. An innocent soul, he was often so lost in his own thoughts that when he was principal of the Surendranath College in Dinajpur, he would often be seen walking home from the college during the day with a lighted lantern! May their souls rest in peace.
I was living not far from Mr Payami and on the first curfew break took a tour of the city with a friend on a motorbike to see the unspeakable havoc.
S. G. JILANEE
Karachi
THIS is apropos of a news item (March 25) regarding termination of employment of PIA flight engineers (of 747s).
With due respect to the technical knowledge and skills of the flight engineers in PIA, and the admirable service they have performed, the truth is that their skills were made redundant years ago with the technology embodied in modern aircraft. For example, the 777 has a two-person cockpit; there is no flight engineer. This is also true of other modern Boeing aircraft as well as of aircraft produced by Airbus.
Aircraft systems are now so advanced, reliable and automated that there is no need for flight engineers. The pilots can handle the task of the flight engineer themselves. Everything they need to monitor is in front of them or on the overhead panel, within clear view.
PIA is amongst the few airlines which still employ flight engineers because they fly older technology aircraft such as the earlier Boeing 747 series. As these are retired and phased out, and they must be retired at some point in time because they are so costly to fly, and become increasingly so, there is no position for the flight engineer to fill. Indeed, there is literally no seat for him in the modern cockpit.
This is no doubt sad. But it is the consequence of the march of technology. In olden days the cockpit had, in addition to the pilot’s, a flight engineer, a navigator, and a radio operator. It was quite a crowd. Each of these skills were gradually taken over by technological developments in navigation and communications. All modern cockpits are now two-person cockpits, without exception.
Ms Sherry Rehman’s comment that flight engineers are being retired at a time when maintenance of PIA aircraft has become an issue is wrong. Flight engineers don’t maintain aircraft. They monitor the systems on it, troubleshoot as best they can while in flight, and record the ‘snags’ which the ground engineers (hopefully) fix.
We should also remember that the flight engineers are likely to be handsomely compensated for their long service. While this is fair, it is seldom mentioned. And it certainly won’t be by the flight engineers themselves.
MEEKAL AHMED
USA
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address: letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.
